Day 1 full of close games, big crowds
Jacob Holmers helped the Shreveport Mudbugs win their first ever NAHL game on Day 1 of the NAHL Showcase.
Shreveport 3 vs. Northeast 1 – The first NAHL game in Mudbugs history was a good one as they outshot the Generals 44-22 and defeated them 3-1. Goalie John Roberts stopped 21 of 22 shots and the Mudbugs got goals from Jacob Holmers in the 1st period, Gueorgui Feduolov in the 2nd period and Erik Zohovs in the 3rd period. The lone Northeast goal came from Anthony Tzveyn late in the 3rd period. Generals goalie Gabe Vinal made 41 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Fairbanks 1 vs. Wichita Falls 0 – In a rematch of the Robertson Cup Championship Game last season, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs handed the Wichita Falls Wildcats their first regulation loss of the season with a close 1-0 win to open the Showcase. It took until early in the 3rd period for a goal to be scored as Cayden Cayhill lit the lamp. CJ Boothe picked up the win, while Evan Moyse took the loss. Boxscore
Johnstown 6 vs. Springfield 3 – Five 3rd period goals propelled the Johnstown Tomahawks to a 6-3 win over Sprinfield. The Jr. Blues jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 3-1 thanks to goals from Jack Summers, DJ Petruzzelli and Christian Simeone. The Tomahawks responded with a 2nd period goal from Samuel Solensky and 3rd period goals from Andy Iehle, Zak Galambos, Donovan Ott and two from Dalton Hunter. Britt League made 32 saves in the win, while Devin Cooley made 26 saves in the loss. Boxscore
MN Magicians 4 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3 – The Magicians scored three times in the 3rd period to come from behind and defeat the Knights, 4-3. The Magicians took an early lead with a goal from Caleb Hite, but that was answered by three straight goals from the Knights, including tallies from Curtis Carlson, Matt Kidney and Vince Marino. The Magicians stormed back with goals from Nikita Kozyrev, Cameron Buhl and Will Hammer. David Fessenden picked up the win in goal, coming in relief of Daniil Gerasimov and stopping all 11 shots that came his way. Grant Valentine made 39 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Aston 4 vs. Janesville 0 – Marek Mitens stopped all 29 shots that came his way as the Rebels stayed perfect on the season, blanking the Jets, 4-0. Four different players scored for the Rebels including a 1st period goal from Andreas Maier, a 2nd period goal from Dom Garcia and two 3rd period goals from Carter Dwyer and Drew Blackmun. Jets goalie Derek Schaedig made 33 saves in the losing effort. Boxscore
Aberdeen 3 vs. Corpus Christi 2 (SO) – The first game of the day that went to overtime and shootout was a thrilling one as the Wings. The IceRays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st period with goals from Matt Acciaioli and David Thompson. The Wings started their comeback in the 2nd period with a goal from Shawn Knowlton and then Kevin Fitzgerald tied the game midway through the 3rd period at 2-2. Fitzgerald would then add the shootout winner. Both goalies played very well as Wings netminder Arrtu Kulmala made 35 saves in the win, while IceRays netminder Tomas Vomacka made 32 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Minot 4 vs. Kenai River 0 – Lucas Murray stopped all 25 shots that came his way as the Minotauros blanked the Brown Bears in both team’s NAHL opener, 4-0. Four different players scored for Minot, including Chase Springman and Redi Stefanson in the 1st period and Jake Dittel and Alex Adams in the 3rd period. Kenai River goalie Connor Poczos made 43 saves in the losing effort. Boxscore
MN Wilderness 2 vs. New Jersey 1 – Luke Kania made 39 saves to lead the Wilderness to a 2-1 win over the Titans on Wednesday. The Wilderness jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st period with a goal from Logan Stork. The lead increased to 2-0 late in the 2nd period for the Wilderness with a goal from Michael Zuffante. Kania’s shutout bid ended with just :19 seconds remaining in regulation as Anthony Cusanelli scored the lone goal for the Titans. Harrison Feeney made 36 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Lone Star 4 vs. Bismarck 1 – The Brahmas broke open a close game in the 3rd period and defeated the Bobcats 4-1 on Wednesday. It took almost two full periods for either team to score, but the Brahmas lit the lamp first as Troy York scored his 4th goal of the season late in the 2nd period. The lead increased to 2-0 late in the 3rd period as Justin Addamo scored a highlight reel goal to make it 2-0. Bismarck cut the lead down to 2-1 a minute later with their lone goal from Noah Bormann. Carson Kelley and Austin Kamer added late goals in the 3rd period to make the final score 4-1. Erik Gordon made 18 saves in the win, while Will Ulrich made 28 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Amarillo 2 vs. Brookings 1 (SO) – It was a goaltending duel between Brookings netminder Josh Boyko and Amarillo netminder Nikita Babintsev, but in the end it took a shootout to decide things as the Bulls edged the Blizzard, 2-1. Brookings got their lone goal in regulation from Brandon Kruse early in the 3rd period, but that was answered 10 minutes later by Amarillo’s George Mika. Kosta Likourezos scored the shootout winner for the Bulls. Babintsev made 43 saves in the win, while Boyko made 58 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Topeka 5 vs. Austin 4 – Bolstered by a three-goal 1st period, the Topeka RoadRunners held off the Austin Bruins on the first day of the NAHL Showcase, 5-4. Jeff Makowski had a hat-trick in the Topeka win. Andrew Hart opened the scoring for the RoadRunners followed by two goals from Makowski. Austin got on the board to make it 3-1 with a goal from Jan Stefka, but Makowski answered with his hat-trick to make it 4-1. Austin stayed in the game with goals from AJ Drobot and Travis Kothenbeutel before Marshall Bowery scored to make it 5-3. Dan Petrick added a 3rd period goal for the Bruins, but Austin could not find the equalizer. Ryan Snowden made 43 saves in the win. Boxscore
Coulee Region 4 vs. Odessa 3 – Kevin Dineen’s goal in the final minute of regulation was the difference as the Chill won a close contest against Odessa, 4-3 in the final game of Day 1 of the NAHL Showcase. After a scoreless 1st period, the Chill led 2-1 after two periods with goals from Braxton Collins and Billy Duma, while Jaden Anderson scored for Odessa. The Jacks then took a 3-2 lead midway through the 3rd period on goals from Trevor Zenas and Bastien Maia. The Chill responded with a goal from Joey Sofo to tie the game and then the game-winner from Dineen with just :32 seconds remaining in regulation. Boxscore
